COKLEY, James C. “JC” – of Burton, MI, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in his home surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 N. Dayton St., Davison, MI 48423, followed by Military Honors; Rev. Fr. Andrew A. Czajkowski celebrant. Entombment will take place following the Mass at St. John Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive visitors 5-7 PM Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM Monday. There will be one hour visitation prior to the Mass on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “James and Desoline Cokley Family Fund” through the Community Foundation of Greater Flint or St. John Catholic Church.
JC was born in Flint, MI on April 23, 1932, son of late William and Vesta (Long) Cokley. JC was a 1950 graduate from Flint Tech High School. While proudly serving our country in the U.S Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Desoline Fabris, on September 5, 1953 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. JC founded JC Cokley Tile & Terrazzo (1956), Genesee Ceramic Tile (1973), All Safe Storage (1997) and Crystal Fieldhouse (2014). Throughout his life, JC has been strongly involved in the Catholic community. He has been a member at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Francis of Xavier, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, serving in a multitude of positions including lector and assisting the priest at the altar. JC has been a member of the Burton Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Detroit Ceramic Tile Contractors Association and Ceramic Tile Distributors Association. He served on the Local 12 Pension board for 20 years. As a loyal Wolverine fan, he was a founding member of the University of Michigan “M Victors Club”. JC and Desoline also established the “James and Desoline Cokley Family Scholarship Fund” for U of M Flint School of Management students. Furthermore, they established the “James and Desoline Cokley Family Fund” through the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for the purpose of helping others.
JC enjoyed attending Michigan Football games, reading and attending Mass. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
JC is survived by his wife, Desoline Cokley; children, Linda (Randy) Leach, John (Michaelle) Cokley, Lisa Haas and James (Ellen) Cokley; daughter-in-law, Marites Cokley; grandchildren, William J. (Danielle) Cokley Jr., Matthew (Deepti) Leach, Marianne (Joshua) Graham, Mark Leach, Rourke Haas, Heidi Haas, John (Paige) Cokley and Kayden Cokley; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Angel Cokley; son, William Cokley Sr.; son-in-law, Kevin Haas.